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Untappable Sources

I am tired of the discussion on Guns. In an effort to engender some
discussion on a different topic I have been driven to come up with
something new.

Here is an idea that I have been playing with; A source that can not
be tapped by a wizard because it has been "bound" to a purpose. For
example a source (1) has been tasked to keep a small pond clean. The
water from such a pond becomes Sweetwater. Tie in more sources and other
effects are possible. A pond with very high level sources might do really
mighty magics such as Regenerate and Restore. (or maybe not)

Untappable Sources

I like that idea. Untappable because they are bound to a specific task. It
sends shivers up and down my spine. That is a major Cerilian Mage-hoser.
Especially if you want to limit the power of a power-hungary PC mage. If
he/she is after more sources, just deem some of them untappable. I really
like that idea. Thanks.
MylonDrow

Untappable Sources

MylonDrow@aol.com wrote:

> I like that idea. Untappable because they are bound to a specific task. It
> sends shivers up and down my spine. That is a major Cerilian Mage-hoser.
> Especially if you want to limit the power of a power-hungary PC mage. If
> he/she is after more sources, just deem some of them untappable. I really
> like that idea. Thanks.

I kind of like the idea too, but I"m a little unclear on how this would prevent
another regent from moving in and taking over. A bound source would still be
contestable wouldn't it? What's the difference between a bound source and a
source already held by another wizard?

It does, however, imply that a mage could use the sources under his control to
maintain a spell indefinately. I like this idea as it seems to greatly increase
the power of mages (who I still say are inordinately weak) and give them a real
reason to want to control sources.

A couple of possibilities: There should be a realm spell that a mage would use to
make "permanent" a spell of any level. This Tie Spell to Source (Alteration)
spell should allow the wizard to tie a source to a spell of 1st-9th level. The
source must be of at least the level of the spell. (Kinda neat that sources are
up to level 9, just like spells.... Coincidence?) That is, a source (3) for a
third level spell. A source can maintain as many spell levels as it has levels
itself, so a source (7) could maintain two second and a third level spell.

While used thus, the source is effectively neutralized. That is, a wizard regent
cannot use it to cast realm spells unless he also has a ley line into that
province to which is attached another source of high enough level to allow him to
cast a realm spell. He still collects regency from it normally. This spell can
be cast in any province using a ley line. The "home" source is then used to
maintain the spell and is "neutralized" as above.

If the source is ever successfully contested (just once) or it is lowered by
building up the province to something less than that required to maintain the
level of the spell, the spell collapses. If more than one spell is being
maintained by the source, the spell that collapses is determined randomly.

Untappable Sources

> If the source is ever successfully contested (just once) or it is lowered by
> building up the province to something less than that required to maintain
> the
> level of the spell, the spell collapses. If more than one spell is being
> maintained by the source, the spell that collapses is determined randomly.
>
Hmmm..... I think I'm starting to like these ideas. One could have a self-
powered Ward or Illusion up indefinitely..... This would explain how Cwmbhein
hid itself for so many centuries before it was discovered and partially burned
out by the Raven. In fact, this could explain a great many elven and old
giant and dragon magics...

PCs would have to defeat the self-powered spell or effect before the source
could be taken. Such special things (tombs, lakes, trees, etc.) might even
have guardians. ::whole adventures sparkle behind the evil GMs eyes::
BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!

Untappable Sources

Gary V. Foss wrote:

> A couple of possibilities: There should be a realm spell that a mage would use to
> make "permanent" a spell of any level. This Tie Spell to Source (Alteration)
> spell should allow the wizard to tie a source to a spell of 1st-9th level. The
> source must be of at least the level of the spell. (Kinda neat that sources are
> up to level 9, just like spells.... Coincidence?) That is, a source (3) for a
> third level spell. A source can maintain as many spell levels as it has levels
> itself, so a source (7) could maintain two second and a third level spell.

Another thought or three for this realm spell. Cost: 1GB and 1RP/spell level of the
spell to be kept permanent. 7th level caster. (I think 7th level is good. Whatever
level a wizard has to be to cast Extention I, which I think is 7th off the top of my
head....) Lastly, a source that is only partially bound can still be used to cast
realm spells. That is a source (5) bound by a 3rd level spell could still be used to
cast a realm spell requiring a source (2).

I'm also thinking there is no reason why a priest regent shouldn't be able to do
something similar in a temple...

Untappable Sources

> I have a few questions about this
>
> 1)What would happen if the source had a ley line on it? Could a more
> powerful spell be cast upon it with extra power needed being conducted
> down a ley line

I had in mind only making it possible to bind spells to a single source to give
wizard regents even more reason to try to preserve their sources, though I
suppose you could justify tying several sources together to create a high
enough "source" to back a higher level spell. I think I prefer not doing it
that way, however, as I REALLY want mages to view their sources as precious and
anything I can do to aid that I'll do.

> 2) If someone used the borrow source spell, would they be able to cast
> a permanent spell using a borrowed source? Would the controlling wizard
> be able to cancel any spell permanented on their source by a borrow
> source spell.

I think the spell would be canceled once the source reverted back to the
original owner since it is kind of reliant upon the spellcaster having a
constant connection to the source. If someone borrowed a source that was
already tied to a spell I'd make that enough to disrupt the tie and cancel the
spell.

I was thinking only 1st-9th level spells could be tied to a source. Making
realm spells a possibility doesn't make sense because the basic power of a
realm spell already comes from the source. I didn't envision this realm spell
as loophole to the durations of realm spells. Just as a loophole to the
durations of 1st-9th level spells. :)

Untappable Sources

At 07:39 AM 9/3/98 -0400, MylonDrow wrote:
>I like that idea. Untappable because they are bound to a specific task. It
>sends shivers up and down my spine. That is a major Cerilian Mage-hoser.
>Especially if you want to limit the power of a power-hungary PC mage. If
>he/she is after more sources, just deem some of them untappable. I really
>like that idea. Thanks.
> MylonDrow
You do realize, that mages are going to figure out how to bind sources to
such purposes themselves. They will then bind there lesser sources to doing
useful things (such as producing sweetwater potions), while using their
large sources to power spells off their ley line network. In effect giving
them more power.

Pieter A de Jong
Graduate Mechanical Engineering Student
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

Untappable Sources

> I have a few questions about this
>
> 1)What would happen if the source had a ley line on it? Could a more
> powerful spell be cast upon it with extra power needed being conducted
> down a ley line

I would guess the power of the ley line would be reduced by however much of
the source was "tied up". So the line would be weaker. Also I'd say that if
the source was tied up then it is as if it were uncontrolled. That means no
RP.

>
> 2) If someone used the borrow source spell, would they be able to cast
> a permanent spell using a borrowed source? Would the controlling wizard
> be able to cancel any spell permanented on their source by a borrow
> source spell.

Not unless the Dispelled or adventured to release the "bound source". And
since I would rule that no one really controls these bound sources, no wizard
could counter with RP on behalf of the bound spell (say vs. Dispel).

>
> 3)DK Evermore suggested a permanent ward by the spell, would this mean
> that your extension realm spell violates the 1 realm spell per turn
> rule?
>
Not really. The Wizard still is limited by one spell per domain turn. As I
alluded to above, the bound sources are no longer under the control of the
Wizard that made them. Independently powered and operated you might say. By
the magical power of the Land.

Untappable Sources

I have created a number of ancient elven spells which "feed" of the Land's
magic. These spells were generated from the Realms product Cormanthor, and
reduce the source rating of the province to maintain the semi-permanent
spell. This I thought fitted in well with the "shield" that protectde the
elven realm of Cwmb Bheinn for so many centuries.

>I am tired of the discussion on Guns. In an effort to engender some
>discussion on a different topic I have been driven to come up with
>something new.
>
>Here is an idea that I have been playing with; A source that can not
>be tapped by a wizard because it has been "bound" to a purpose. For
>example a source (1) has been tasked to keep a small pond clean. The
>water from such a pond becomes Sweetwater. Tie in more sources and other
>effects are possible. A pond with very high level sources might do really
>mighty magics such as Regenerate and Restore. (or maybe not)
>
>OK that's it.
>
>L8R
>
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